We have clear plans and procedures to support student wellbeing, while maintaining our enriched boarding programme.
The £24 million investment in our boarding houses was completed in 2018. These modern, comfortable and sociable living spaces offer some of the best accommodation of any school in the country.
We are working closely with the BSA (Boarding Schools Association) in following Government advice regarding the reopening of boarding schools. We will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis. While this situation is ongoing, we have been working hard to ensure that when our boarders are able to return, we have clear plans and procedures in place.
ACS has adopted the BSA COVID-Safe Charter, a voluntary code, to assure international boarders and their parents that schools have done everything they can to ensure their safety when they return. We have risk-assessed the boarding provision and adapted policies and procedures to ensure risk is minimised. But we will also ensure the spirit and fun of boarding continues so that our students have a fantastic year at ACS.
We are planning in anticipation of the boarding houses will be allowed to open at the end of August and as soon as there is a clear date from the Government.
Travel
All international students will be emailed a letter on school headed paper, confirming their attendance at the school and the COVID-19 arrangements in place. The letter will include a 24-hour phone number for emergency purposes while the student is travelling.
Transport
Families will continue to make their own travel arrangements to arrive at ACS. Social distancing measures will be put in place. These include the student sitting in the back seat, the driver wearing a face mask if in proximity of the student and the provision of sanitiser.
Social distancing
As per Government and BSA guidance, each boarding house will be considered a ‘bubble’. Students will be expected to socially distance at school and off campus. However, they but will not be obliged to socially-distance within the boarding house, mixing as they would within their own family or as they feel appropriate.
Hygiene
The boarding houses will be deep cleaned prior to pupils arriving in August and high frequency cleaning routines in place during the academic year. Hand gel will be available in reception areas and all staff and students asked to use it on entry. Each bedroom has a private en-suite bathroom with soap provided.
Quarantine for international boarders
Pupils are asked to comply with the relevant immigration guidance for the countries they are travelling from and to. Quarantine regulations remains in flux and when boarders return, it is entirely possible that any arrangements might have ceased or changed.
Currently in the UK, some international visitors are required to quarantine for 14 days. However, there is ongoing discussion in the media of EU exemptions and ‘air bridges’. We will continue to monitor the situation and when a clear date is given for the boarding houses, update parents on the situation.
Once the boarding house reopens, we are able to offer a limited number of places for quarantine on the school site. The Department for Education has confirmed that schools will be deemed as suitable accommodation for any quarantine requirement. If in quarantine, the boarder will be required to isolate in a single en-suite room for 14 days in a separate area of the boarding house. This option is only available after the boarding house has reopened and pupils will therefore have to continue their distance learning until the quarantine has been completed.
COVID-19 testing
We will continue to follow Government advice and advancements in COVID-19 testing. We will adhere to any requirements in regard to the NHS Track and Trace Service.
Medical care
The Medical Centre will contact any boarder felt to be at high risk to discuss their individual needs. The boarding nurse will continue to monitor the health of boarders.
Symptoms and isolation
Any boarder who show signs of being unwell with potential COVID-19 symptoms will be required to return to their family, guardian or agent until the boarding nurse has given permission for the pupil to return. Whilst waiting for arrangements to be made, the boarder will remain isolated from the boarding house.
Food
To keep the two boarding bubbles separate, Fields House will eat between 17:30 and 18:00 and Woodlands between 18:00 and 18:30.
Off-site enrichment
Off-site trips and visits will be adapted to meet Government guidance. When appropriate to proceed, any off-site visit will be risk-assessed and will only proceed with the authorisation of the Head of School.
On-site enrichment
The on-site enrichment programme (activities, team sports, quizzes etc) will continue as normal within boarding houses. The sports centre is currently developing its risk assessments and procedures to ensure as many facilities are accessible as possible. Outdoor facilities such as the 4G, running track, tennis courts and multi-use games area will be operational for boarders as usual.
Events
Traditional events such as the international dinner will be risk assessed closer to the date and postponed or adapted as required.
PPE
Boarders may wear a face covering if they choose to. No student will be prevented from wearing face-coverings. Boarders will be briefed to expected to respect that some students may choose to wear PPE. Boarding staff will be asked to follow social distance guidelines where possible and provided with PPE as appropriate.